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Friday, July 27, 2012

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 27- Tennis
fans from around the world will once again descend on the Bronx next as part of
the yearly EmblemHealth Bronx Open.

The event is held from August
5-12, 2012 at Crotona Park, Bronx. This year's EmblemHealth Bronx Open is a
$50,000 USTA sanctioned Challenger Event, attracting some of best Women Tennis
Professional players in the world as they prepare for the US Open Championships
at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

EmblemHealth is the title
sponsor of the EmblemHealth Bronx Open, an USTA sanctioned $50,000 women's
tennis tournament Challenger Event. The tournament is held at Crotona Park, in
the Bronx, New York from August 5-12, 2012. Fans have the opportunity to watch
WTA Tour professionals from around the world ranked in the top 200, some of
whom who will compete in the main draw of the 2012 US Open Championships at the
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens.

Tennis players, enthusiasts
and spectators are invited to a fun-filled week of free special events at
Crotona Park, the Bronx.

Activities include adult and
junior tennis clinics, EmblemHealth Fitness Day For Kids, New York's Bravest
(New York Fire Department) vs. New York's Finest (New York Police Department)
Tournament, and the Disney Kids' Around the World Day Parade displaying the
enthusiasm and artistic talents of NYJTL participants proudly marching with
their 10-foot banners.

2011 EmblemHealth Bronx Open
Women's Singles Final Recap:

In its 18th year as title
sponsor of the 2011 EmblemHealth Bronx Open, EmblemHealth continued to partner
with the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) to promote education and leading
a healthy, active lifestyle for children and families in New York City.

Andrea Hlavackova, of the
Czech Republic, was the winner over Mona Barthel, 7-6, 6-3, in a hard-hitting
singles final played indoors at Riverside Tennis Club in Riverdale when the match
had to be moved due to torrential downpours. It was the second time in the
tournament’s history that the event final was played indoors.

Throughout the tournament, special events were geared to the dual messages of
using tennis to boost academic and athletic performance. Activities included
Kids’ Fitness Day, daily free tennis lessons, and distribution of more than
2,000 free books to kids. At the Disney Kids’ Day Parade, more than 2,000
children from NYJTL programs marched through in Crotona Park with banners they
designed during their summer programs.

Cablevision has supported the EmblemHealth Bronx Open for the six years
broadcasting the finals, filming ancillary tournament events, and packaging the
final product to air on Cablevision’s Neighborhood Journal.

The days are winding down before the trading deadline of July 31. Teams that are currently in contention for a berth in the post-season are looking to obtain outstanding players to fill the positions in which they are weak from teams no longer in the running to be in the playoffs.

On Monday evening, it was announced that the Yankees obtained outfielder Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two 25-year-old right handed pitchers in the Yankees minor league system, D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar.

The recent announcement that leftfielder Bret Gardner needs surgery and most likely will not return to active duty this year and a recent injury to Nick Swisher have greatly depleted the Yankees outfield corps. Acquiring Ichiro will greatly upgrade defense in the outfield and the batting order for the Yanks. It is easier for Ichiro to more quickly join the team as the Yanks are currently playing a three game series in Seattle.

The 38-year old has compiled one of the great records in baseball history. During nine seasons, 1992-2000, in the Pacific league in Japan, Ichiro batted .353. He led his league in batting average seven straight seasons and was MVP three times.

He left his native land in 2001 to prove what he could accomplish in MLB in the United States. He wasted no time in exhibiting his talent as he was the second player in major league history to be chosen Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player in his rookie year.

In his first 10 seasons in the majors, Ichiro was elected a member of the American League All-Star Team. His prowess in the outfield cannot be denied as he was a Gold Glove recipient in each of those 10 seasons.

Speaking of moving to left to replace Gardner, Ichiro commented, “I haven’t played left for a long time, to be honest with you. But the last time I played left was a playoff game, my first playoff game in Yankee Stadium, so it’s a very memorable position for me for that reason.”

After wearing #51 since he joined the Mariners, Ichiro chose #31 as he recognized wearing the number worn by Yankees icon Bernie Williams could prove to be an embarrassment.

After receiving a standing ovation from the Seattle fans on Monday evening before his first trip to the plate as a Yankee, Ichiro raised his cap and respectfully bowed to the crowd. The .322 lifetime average batter rapped a single to center. The hit was his 106th of the season and his 23,534th in the majors. He then showed the danger of allowing him to reach base as he stole second. The steal was his 16th in 18 attempts in 2012 and his 439th career steal.

The hit and steal will, almost surely, be the first of many for his new team in the Bronx. The new Yankee should get a big welcome when the team returns to the Bronx on Friday.

Monday, July 23, 2012

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 23- Soccer, the world’s most popular spectator sport, made its debut at the most iconic sports stadium in the United States, Yankee Stadium, on Sunday evening. The current Yankee Stadium will be hosting two of the matches being played as part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge.

The Bronx, the home to natives of many nations from all corners of the globe, will welcome football stars from four world renowned teams representing four countries, England, France, Italy, and Spain, this summer.

The international appeal of soccer is illustrated by the number of nations represented on the rosters of the two clubs that played on Sunday, 11 on the English side (Chelsea) and 8 on the club from Paris (PSG). The manager of each side is an Italian national, Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti of PSG.

Fans of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain or world class soccer in general were welcomed to the neighborhood by several of the area’s eateries, Billy’s, Crown Diner, The Dugout, Stan’s and Yankee Tavern miniature soccer balls inscribed for the special occasion were distributed at each restaurant.

Dr. Cary Goodman, executive director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District (BID), who inspired the promotion, described its purpose, “We’re used to having sports fans from around the world visit our district in The Bronx. We want them to see and feel how happy we are to greet guests. The souvenirs are our way of saying, ‘Thanks for coming’.”

As Yankee Stadium’s infield and outfield were transformed into a 110’ by 70”soccer pitch, two first division clubs took the field for a friendly match. The English entry, Chelsea FC, is visiting the U.S. in the wake of a superlative season. It captured the FA title in England with a victory over Liverpool. On May 19, Chelsea had a penalty kick win over favored Bayren Munich in the latter’s home field.

On July 18, Chelsea was victorious over the Seattle Sounders of the MLS in its first of three contests in the United States this summer.

The match at Yankee Stadium was only the third between the two soccer powers. Both previous matches occurred during the 2004-5 UEFA Champions League competition. Chelsea was the winner of the first match in Paris, 3-0, on goals by veteran John Terry and Didier Drogba (2). The second contest ended in a scoreless tie, 0-0.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the match on Sunday began. The happy rooters of PSG erupted in cheers in the 30th minutes of the first half as Nené scored an unassisted goal. The Brazilian native, who celebrated his 31st birthday three days earlier, was PSG’s leading goal scorer during the league season. The fleet midfielder scored 21 of his team’s 75 goals.

PSG registered 7 of the 12 shots on goal during the first half, but none from either side was close to a score.

In the early minutes of the second half, both teams made many substitutions. As Di Matteo explained to reporters, “For us, it’s [each match in the U.S.] is preparation for our season.”

As the match neared its conclusion, in the 82nd minute, two Brazilians combined to tie the match. Ramires passed to Lucas Piazon who booted in Chelsea’s first goal. The match ended in a 1-1 tie.

Although neither side achieved a victory, the crowd of 38,202 knowledgeable and enthusiastic soccer fans demonstrated their enjoyment of the contest.

After the contest, Di Matteo stated, “It was a great atmosphere. I think the folks enjoyed themselves.” Of the overwhelming support from the fans for Chelsea, the manager commented, “I want to thank all the fans; it was like a home game.”

Di Matteo gave his opinion about the venue, Yankee Stadium, “It’s the first time I’ve been here. It’s very impressive. It’s a piece of art. The pitch was better than we expected.”

As soon as the match concluded, many soccer aficionados in the crowd were already preparing for their attendance at the next match in the Stadium on August 8 when AC Milan will face Real Madrid.

Yanks head to Oakland after rain shortened game and sweep of Blue Jays

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- This time claps of thunder, lightning, and rain stopped a New York Yankees game in the Bronx Wednesday afternoon. Their offense also continued to excel before the weather caused a rain shortened 6-0 win and sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays after six innings.

With threatening weather in the forecast, the game was delayed 51 minutes. However, in a season where the Yankees seem to be hitting the ball all over the place, delays don’t seem to matter.

New York got on the scoreboard early when Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, his 19th, in a four-run first inning off Toronto starter and loser Ricky Romero (8-6) who lost his fifth straight, a career low.

The inning started when Derek Jeter, inserted as the designated hitter, led off with a double. There were four extra base hits that included two straight doubles from Andruw Jones and Robinson Cano. The hit from Cano extended his career best hitting streak to 21 games.

“You got to get contributions from everyone,” said Jeter who went 2 for 3. It was the Yankees third straight win, nine in their last 11, a season-high 23 games over .500.

And the Yankees continue to get those contributions with guys off the bench. It enables manager Joe Girardi to give his starters some rest, in particular, during this 13-game stretch that continues Thursday night with three games in Oakland and three at Seattle.

DeWayne Wise had an RBI double in the fourth inning off Romero and a run scoring single in the sixth. He gave Curtis Granderson a day of rest out in center as once again the strategy, Girardi getting the best from his bench, worked to perfection.

“It’s been really special what these guys have done for us, you kinda’ want to talk about giving some other guys off during this run of 13- games,” commented Girardi about how Wise, Jayson Nix with two hits, and Eric Chavez have contributed off the bench.

That gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth and the weather got worse. The tarp came on the field, and after a delay of 58 minutes the Yankees packed and went to Oakland also propelling Hiroki Kuroda (9-7) to his third career complete game victory.

“His slider was good, he kept away from getting the first hitter on and made some good pitches,” said Girardi about Kuroda.

In his last start Kuroda gave up five runs, 11 in his last two starts. But he bounced back tossing seven shutout innings, limited the Jays to four hits, no walks and striking out five. Though it was a shortened game, the outing by Kuroda leads to more encouragement.

With Kuroda bouncing back, CC Sabathia healthy after missing two starts, and with Andy Pettitte recovering well from a broken ankle, Girardi has to be pleased.

“Pitching is the one constant that you have to have to win on a daily basis and we’ve been getting that,” said Girardi. New York has also scored three runs in 42 consecutive games.

“I think our guys set the tone early,” said Girardi about how his team tacked on runs, off Romero, a pitcher that has given the Yankees problems in the past.

The Yankees have pitched well, swung the bats, and tacked on runs late. That also had led to them widening their gap on first place in the American League east. Girardi alluded to those factors in taking five of six games on the home stand from the Angels and Blue Jays,

Now they hit the road with right hander Freddie Garcia (4-2), who won his last start Saturday against the Angels, getting the start against Oakland.

“It’s a lot of fun coming to the ballpark every day,” said Nick Swisher.

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 18- CC Sabathia had control of his pitches and he was strong in his return from the disabled list Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. He dominated the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, without power hitter Jose Bautista who was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the Yankees continued to roll taking their second straight over the Jays 6-1 in the Bronx.

Sabathia carried a shutout into the seventh inning and the Yankees bullpen took over. The lefthander improved to 10-3, gave up four hits and struck out six.

“It was tough sitting here and watching your teammates go out and battle every day,” said Sabathia who improved to 13-3 lifetime against Toronto. “It feels good to come back and be a part of it.”

And for the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi, having Sabathia back in the rotation, only makes them continue their roll to another American League east division title. New York has won five of their last six and increased their lead in the division to 9 /1-2 games over Tampa Bay with a major league best record of 56-34.

After the three-run second inning, led by the three-run home run from Andruw Jones to left, Sabathia who missed two starts due to a left groin strain kept Blue Jays batters at bay.

Girardi was cautious. He removed Sabathia after throwing 87 pitches on a steamy 95-degree night. His ace, though, likes to pitch in steamy conditions and Girardi also said it may be an advantage that Sabathia missed a few starts because he will have less innings as the Yankees prepare for their post season run.

“My arm feels good when it is warm,” said Sabathia who had no lingering effects from the injury that sidelined him on June 24th. He experienced pain in the groin after pitching against the Mets in the final game of the subway interleague series.

Jays’ starter Brett Cecil (2-2) suffered his second loss of the season. In six innings he was touched for the three runs on the 12th home run of the year from Jones. He would settle down and not allow another run, but the Yankees got to the Toronto pen again scoring three more runs in the seventh inning.

“To his credit, he kept the ball down and he changed speeds effectively,” said Toronto manager John Farrell about his starter and the adjustments made after the Jones home run.

It was the 432nd career home run for Jones that surpassed Cal Ripken Jr. for sole possession of 41st place on baseball’s all time list.

Jones has been another weapon off the bench for Girardi along with Eric Chavez, DeWayne Wise and Jayson Nix. They have also accounted for many of the 145 home runs hit by the Yankees that lead baseball.

Girardi said about his bench “I think I have a really good bench that can be extremely productive for us. It’s been really helpful.”

Rafael Soriano closed the door in the ninth inning for his 24th save in 25 opportunities. Girardi once again used four pitchers out of the pen before calling on his closer as the Blue Jays scored their lone run in the eighth and stranded two in the ninth.

Robinson Cano also extended his career best hitting streak to 20- games, the longest active in the majors and most since Derek Jeter in the 2007 season.

With Sabathia back in the rotation and the Yankees winning in this 13-game stretch, there is more room for confidence. They go for the series sweep in the get- away finale Wednesday afternoon with Hiroki Kuroda (8-7) on the mound.

“We’ve been doing a little bit of everything,” said Jeter. “We’ve got a pretty good combination of things going right now.”

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 16- The mound matchup of two 10-game winners, Jared Weaver and Ivan Nova, created the expectation that the finale of the three-game series between the Yankees and Angels would be a tight pitchers’ duel. Instead the batters unloaded 27 hits including eight home runs, four by each team, during the Angels 10-8 win.

Each team put runs on the scoreboard via four baggers with one out in the first inning. Erick Aybar (4) and Albert Pujols (15) hit back-to-back home runs. The homer was the 450th in the Hall of Fame career of Pujols.

After Curtis Granderson singled, Alex Rodriguez smacked his 643rd career homer into the right field stands to tie the game.

The Yanks scored single runs in the second, sixth and seventh frames. A solo homer by Granderson (250) in the sixth and Eric Chavez (8) accounted for two of those runs.

The Yanks were topped by the visitors who scored eight runs on 11 hits in the final four innings. Maicer Itzuris’s first homer of the year scored two in the sixth. The play of two young phenoms, Mark Trumbo (26) and Mike Trout (20) led to several scores.

Trumbo was on first and scored on the homer by Itzuris. He led off the ninth with his 24th home run of the season. The homer was his sixth in the last seven games against the Yanks for the “Yankee killer.” Trumbo raised his season batting average to .310 after getting five hits in 12 at bats in the three game series. The outstanding 2011 rookie is 14 for 30 against the Yanks in 2012 with six home runs and 11 runs batted in.

Sensational rookie Mike Trout doubled and scored a run the next inning with his second double of the contest. After going seven for 12 in the three multi-hit games, Trout’s A.L., leading batting average rose to .349. A sensational catch by Granderson in the third robbed Trout of another extra-base hit. In his last 21 games, Trout is batting above .400 (35 for 86).

A two-run homer By Mark Teixeira and four walks in the ninth gave the Yanks three runs to bring the game closer. With the score 10-8 in favor of the Angels and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, A-Rod stepped to the plate. With many fans screaming for him to break Lou Gehrig’s record of 23 grand slam home runs, the game ended as a-Rod popped to first. The batter stated, “I put a good swing on it and I just popped it up.”

Both Rodriguez and Yankee manager Joe Girardi, although disappointed by the loss were pleased by the never-say-die attitude of the club. According to Rodriguez, “You can’t win every day. I like how we battled. Our objective was to win the series and we did that.”

Girardi commented, “When you come from behind, that’s how you win games. We were one hit away.” The Yanks have won a major league leading 29 come-from-behind games in 2012.

Yankees stats-Derek Jeter’s single was the 3,204th in his career. Cano’s two singles tied his career high hitting streak of 18 consecutive games. He is 29 for 72 during that period. The Yankees have scored at least three runs in 39 straight games, a single season team mark. The Yanks have hit a major league high of 142 home runs in 2012, 41 in the last 21 contests.

Phil Hughes (9-7) will go to the mound in the first game of a three-game series with Toronto on Monday evening. Henderson Alvarez (5-7) will start for the Blue Jays.

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- The Yanks successfully continued their quest to compile the best mark in the majors at the conclusion of the 2012 season with a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday afternoon. The win was their sixth in the last seven contests; their record of 54-33 is the best in MLB.

Yankee starter Freddy Garcia ran into difficulty in the first inning as the first two batters singled and later in the frame were driven across the plate on a single by third sacker Alberto Collapso. Yankees skipper Joe Girardi confessed, “Anytime a pitcher labors in the first inning, you get a little worried.”

Garcia explained the difficulty, “They’re a pretty tough lineup. They don’t swing at a bad pitch.”

Garcia limited the Halos to two hits and one run in the other four innings he pitched. After throwing a season high of 98 pitches, Garcia was lifted after the fifth.

The relievers, Cody Eppley, David Robertson and Rafael Soriano, saved Garcia’s victory by yielding only two hits and no runs in the final four innings. The save by Soriano was his 22nd in 23 save opportunities.

Girardi commented, “It’s hard to say where we’d be without him [Soriano]. He’s beren tremendous.” When asked if he was surprised by Soriano’s superiority as a closer over his work as a setup man, Girardi responded, “A lot of guys thrive when the adrenaline is pumping, so I’m not surprised.”

The win was the fourth straight for Garcia, who lost his first two decisions of 2012. He is especially dominant over the Angels. His mark is 16-3 with an ERA of 2.66, the highest winning percentage of any pitcher against the Halos.

Home runs again controlled the outcome of the contest. Derek Jeter led-off the bottom of the first with an infield single, his 3,202nd base hit. With two out Robinson Cano took a 2-2 pitch into the left field stands to tie the game. The homer extended Cano’s hitting streak to a season high 17 games. He has raised his batting average to a team high .315. The home run was his 10th in the last 24 games.

In the third, Curtis Ganderson broke the tie by driving in two runs with his 24th home run of the season.

The Yankees lead the majors with 138 home runs. They have hit 37 homers in the last 20 contests. They also lead all MLB teams in slugging percentage.

The Angels’ rookie sensation, Mike trout, continues to impress New York fans. He hit successfully in his first three trips to the plate. After singling in the third, he stole second and third. He leads the A.L, with a batting average of .348 and paces the league in steals with 30. In the first two games at Yankee Stadium, he has five hits and four stolen bases.

The finale of the three game series will be played on Sunday afternoon with two 10 game winners on the mound. Ivan Nova (10-3) will face Jered Weaver (10-1).

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Mark Teixeira said the four-day hiatus this week for the all-Star break was what he may have needed, and the New York Yankees know the rest did him well. He hit two home runs Friday evening in the Bronx that enabled New York to open the second half of the season with a come from behind 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to left field and catcher Russell Martin fighting out of a slump, hit a two-out single that overcame the Angels 5-2 lead.

“I had a good batting practice today and the extra energy,” commented Teixeira who recorded his 36th career multi-home run game, now with 17 on the season. He also drove in five runs for the third time.

Teixeira commented, “It’s a new start. The first half really doesn’t mean anything.” In essence the first half did mean something as the Yankees opened the second half with a seven- game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League east.

The Yankees won their second straight and fifth in their last six games. The win, first of three games with the Angels, was the start of a six-game home stand that will continue with Toronto.

“Sure the break helped him physically,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi about Teixeira. “New York, at 53-33 went a season high 20-games over .500 with the best record in baseball.

Prior to the second home run by Teixeira, the Angels’ Mark Trumbo hit his team leading 23rd home run giving them a 4-2 lead. It was the 15th home run this year by Trumbo that has tied a game or given the Angels the lead, and his fifth straight game against the Yankees with a home run.

“We set the table for him and he got a big hit at the time and just missed another one,” said Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia. Nick Swisher robbed Trumbo of another home run when he leaped and got the out, a ball that looked like it was clearing the outfield wall in right, in the Angels eighth inning.

C.J Wilson pitched seven solid innings until Scott Downs (1-1) imploded for the Angels in an inning that started with a Derek Jeter double and a walk to Curtis Granderson.

Hiroki Kuroda did not figure in the decision for the Yankees after throwing six innings and giving up two home runs. Chad Qualls (1-0) got his first win for New York and Rafael Soriano recorded his 21st save in 22 chances.

Martin, hoping for a better second half got it off to a good start. He drove in the game winning run in the eighth inning and also nailed two Angels on the base paths.

His throw to Jeter at second, with two outs in the ninth, nailed Howie Kendrick, the tying run to end the game.

“Three guys out, the game winning hit,” said Girardi who added the game by Martin was important for him. Martin ended a, 0-for-30 slump last Saturday at Boston before the break.

(Mike Trout steals second base in the top of the third inning, but is stranded.- Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 14- Currently ranked in the top 10 in almost every offensive category and leading the American League in batting and stolen bases, 20-year-old Mike Trout, like his counterpart in the National League, 19-year-old Bryce Harper, is bringing excitement to every city in which he plays. The two center fielders are reminiscent to older fans of the entrance of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays into the respective New York City center fields of Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds in the same year, 1951. Although no one can accurately foresee what each will accomplish in his future career in baseball, each has proven to have excellent talent.

Trout, who began the 2012 season with the Angels on April 28, made his first visit to Yankee stadium as a player on Friday, the 13th. The young man’s visit was quite meaningful to him, “Just being in the same place as so many Hall of Famers played is awesome.”

In a pre-game press conference, the New Jersey native was questioned about his childhood baseball preferences and responded, “I was a Phillies fan, but Jeter was my guy. I always liked seeing him play. I played shortstop my whole life until my senior year [in high school] when I changed to outfield. I’m out there hustling on every play. That’s how Jeter plays the game and that’s how I want to play the game.”

The two will be even closer in the future and family members and friends of Trout were invited to watch Friday night’s game in Jeter’s luxury box.

Trout was selected by the Angels as the 25th pick in the first round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. On Friday, the youngster commented, “Going 25th gives me the motivation to prove them wrong.” He has been spurred to exhibit the capacity he possesses to be a star quality player in the majors.

Although he played 40 games with the Angels during the 2011 season, Trout is still considered to be a rookie. Thus, he is currently a favorite to be voted both the Rookie of the Year and the American League MVP. This is a rare honor previously won by Ichiro Suzuki and Fred Lynn.

Trout leads all American League rookies in every offensive category except triples in which he ranks second. He is the first rookie in AL history to rank first in batting average (.341) and stolen bases (26) at the All Star break.

Trout’s performances during May, June and early July added to his personal popularity earned him a place on the A.L. All-Star Team. He recounted his feelings on that memorable day to reporters at Yankee Stadium, “It was a great experience for my family and me and my friends. I started to feel a little nervous when I looked in the dugout and saw Derek Jeter and when I looked in the stands and saw my family.” Hid nervousness wore off quickly as he singled in his only at bat and stole a base. He was the youngest player to hit successful in the Mid-Summer Classic in 57 years.

The second youngest player currently in the majors was asked to comment about the youngest, Bryce Harper, “He’s a great guy; he plays the game the right way, hard; he’s got the same focus as I do, get on base and score a lot of runs. It’s only been one-half of a year, we have to keep working hard and making it happen.”

The two are on teams that appear to be heading to post-season berths. The Halos were only 6-14 prior to Trout’s joining the club, but have amassed the best record in the majors (42-25) since that date.

Trout’s first game in Yankee Stadium, although in a loss, was impressive. He singled and doubled in four at bats. He stole two bases and scored a run.

On Friday, at the age of 20 years, 10 months and 5 days, Trout described his experiences in the majors, “It’s definitely surreal. I try not to think about it during the season; it could give you a big head. I’ll talk about it with my parents after the season.”

Monday, July 2, 2012

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The Yankees and their fans
celebrated and commemorated the organization’s glorious history at the 66th annual
Old Timers’ Day on Sunday afternoon. Yankee heroes from the past 65 years were
on the field prior to the regularly scheduled game between the Yankees and
Chicago White Sox.

After the introduction of the more than four dozen former
Yankees and the widows of Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Bilrly Martin, Thurman
Munson and Bobby Murcer, the former players took part in a two inning “game”.
The annual festivities entertained those in attendance and brought back
heartfelt memories to several generations of Yankees fans.

The continuity between the generations of Yankees players
remains to the present as the current Yankees and those of the past meet and
get to know one another at the yearly ceremony.

At 2:07 pm, the scheduled contest began, Yankees starter
Phil Hughes gave up two runs in the first inning as singles by Kevin Youkilis
and Alex Rios each drove in a run.

Those two were the only runs scored by the Sox on Sunday.
Hughes blanked Chicago during the seven other innings he pitched. He
surrendered only six hits and one walk while fanning seven during his stint on
the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi was especially pleased by the
performance of Hughes in such an unbearably hot and humid day, “I
thought he made some mistakes with location [in the first] and then he was able
to make some adjustments. He was effective all day. To pitch eight innings on
this kind of day is amazing.”

The win was the eighth for Hughes in his last ten
decisions.

The long ball by the Yankees hitters, as it has throughout
2012, made an immediate impact. Raúl Ibañez led off the second with a single
and scored on a two-run homer by Eric Chavez, at third base in place of Alex
Rodriguez. The four-bagger tied the game at two.

Another two-run homer, this hit by Robinson Cano on a 3-2
count in the third put the Yankees ahead, 4-2.

The homer was Cano’s ninth in his last 14 games. The
Yankees second sacker has driven in at least one run in each of his last 11
games against Chicago.

Cano was one of four Yankees named to the American League
All-Star Team on Sunday. He will start at second, Derek Jeter will start at
shortstop and Curtis Granderson will start in the outfield and CC Sabathia will
be on the pitching staff.

The first place Yanks now embark on a seven game
pre-All-Star game road trip, three games in Tampa and four games in Boston.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day.

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The Yankees and their fans
celebrated and commemorated the organization’s glorious history at the 66th annual
Old Timers’ Day on Sunday afternoon. Yankee heroes from the past 65 years were
on the field prior to the regularly scheduled game between the Yankees and
Chicago White Sox.

After the introduction of the more than four dozen former
Yankees and the widows of Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Bilrly Martin, Thurman
Munson and Bobby Murcer, the former players took part in a two inning “game”.
The annual festivities entertained those in attendance and brought back
heartfelt memories to several generations of Yankees fans.

The continuity between the generations of Yankees players
remains to the present as the current Yankees and those of the past meet and
get to know one another at the yearly ceremony.

At 2:07 pm, the scheduled contest began, Yankees starter
Phil Hughes gave up two runs in the first inning as singles by Kevin Youkilis
and Alex Rios each drove in a run.

Those two were the only runs scored by the Sox on Sunday.
Hughes blanked Chicago during the seven other innings he pitched. He
surrendered only six hits and one walk while fanning seven during his stint on
the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi was especially pleased by the
performance of Hughes in such an unbearably hot and humid day, “I
thought he made some mistakes with location [in the first] and then he was able
to make some adjustments. He was effective all day. To pitch eight innings on
this kind of day is amazing.”

The win was the eighth for Hughes in his last ten
decisions.

The long ball by the Yankees hitters, as it has throughout
2012, made an immediate impact. Raúl Ibañez led off the second with a single
and scored on a two-run homer by Eric Chavez, at third base in place of Alex
Rodriguez. The four-bagger tied the game at two.

Another two-run homer, this hit by Robinson Cano on a 3-2
count in the third put the Yankees ahead, 4-2.

The homer was Cano’s ninth in his last 14 games. The
Yankees second sacker has driven in at least one run in each of his last 11
games against Chicago.

Cano was one of four Yankees named to the American League
All-Star Team on Sunday. He will start at second, Derek Jeter will start at
shortstop and Curtis Granderson will start in the outfield and CC Sabathia will
be on the pitching staff.

The first place Yanks now embark on a seven game
pre-All-Star game road trip, three games in Tampa and four games in Boston.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day.

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League
Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its history is the New York
Yankees. More than four dozen Yankees were at Yankee Stadium on a brutally hot
afternoon to take part in the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day ceremony on Sunday
afternoon.

Sunday’s contingent of former stars included Hall of Famers
Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson.
The widows of Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Jill Martin and
Bobby Murcer were there to visit with the teammates of their late husbands.

The eldest of the 2012 Yankees returnees was Jerry Coleman.
The 87- year old, a regular at the annual Yankees reunion, flew cross-country
from his native California to be in the Bronx for the event. The very good
humored San Diego Padres broadcaster said of the flight, “They
made the seats smaller. I had to sit like this.” He
then imitated someone clinching his body to be as narrow as possible.

He spoke with sincere gratitude of the treatment the former
Yankees received from the organization, “You wouldn’t believe all they do for
us, the transportation arrangements, the hotel, the meals and the cruise last
night.” Coleman’s description is valid as the
Marketing department led by Senior Vice President Debbie Tymon arranges all
such events with class and consideration.

Coleman humorously recalled his first game with the Yankees
in 1949, “The first play of the game was a
ground ball that went right between my legs. The next play was a one-hopper
that came to me and resulted in a double play. After that I said, ‘I’m saved.’”

Coleman’s playing career was far better than he likes to
joke. The second baseman’s first season was so good that the Associated Press
chose him as American League Rookie of the Year. In his sophomore season, he
received the Babe Ruth Award as World Series MVP.

When asked which of his teammates he was closest to, he
pointed to the man sitting next to him in the dugout, Dr. Bobby Brown. Brown,
one month younger than Coleman was a schoolmate of Coleman’s in San Francisco.
Brown, after his playing days ended, became a renowned cardiologist and later
President of the American League. Another teammate of the two, Charlie Silvera,
back-up catcher to Yogi Berra, was a childhood friend as well.

Coleman’s baseball career was twice interrupted for
military service. He was the only Major League player engaged in active combat
duty during World War II and the Korean War. He values the wartime service to
his country in much higher terms than he does his years in baseball.

The articulate Coleman spent seven years as a broadcaster
with the Yankees after his playing career concluded where he again teamed with
his double play partner, Phil Rizzuto.

After relocating to California, Coleman broadcast for the
California Angels for two seasons. In 1972, Coleman began a position he still
holds as a broadcaster for the Padres. He missed only one season as a
broadcaster, 1980, when he managed the Padres.

His excellence as a broadcaster earned him the Ford C.
Frick Award in 2005 and enshrinement in the broadcast win of the baseball Hall
of Fame. Currently Coleman does not travel with the Padres. He works
approximately 30 home games during the season.

Despite the difference in age, he appears close with the
players on the team. While sitting in the White Sox dugout before the “Old
Timers’ were introduced, the broadcaster engaged in very friendly
conversation and humorous banter with former Padres, Jake Peavy and Orlando
Hudson.

Anyone who gets the opportunity to converse with the
octogenarian will be enlightened, entertained and uplifted as I was on Sunday.

One can also learn a great deal more
of his interesting life by reading his 2008 autobiography, American Journey: My
Life on the Field, in the Air and on the Air.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day.